It’s no surprise that as states across America issued stay-at-home orders, mobile phone usage increased. In fact, according to Comscore, March 2020 mobile phone data usage grew by more than 50 percent over 2019. Understanding this shift in consumer habits, Tillster’s CMO, Hope Neiman, penned an article for QSR outlining how restaurants can navigate these unprecedented times through a branded mobile app.
As Hope mentions, “the mobile app is an especially powerful tool in the effort to build your restaurant brand and a surefire way to put customers on a path to brand allegiance.” With the immediate need to move operations to mobile and online ordering and delivery from in-restaurant dining, the question for many restaurant owners is not whether the various features of the app provide value, but rather how to maximize them.
In the article, Hope outlined five ways to boost mobile app usage:
1. Start with a deal (that works for you) - According to our research, 70 percent of guests say they’d visit a restaurant more if it offered digital coupons. Offering something for free is a great way to create initial adoption. However, it’s also important that the deal works for your brand, too.
2. Build Loyalty - The best way to drive use of your app is to give customers a reason to re-open it. You can do this with actual loyalty programs or other tools that encourage visits. By giving extra rewards points or discounts for incremental visits, you can build loyalty based on a strategy that makes sense for you, and whose benefits are measurable to your bottom line.
3. Offer Mobile Ordering - Our data shows that 76 percent of customers expect a restaurant’s branded app to offer mobile ordering. Mobile ordering is no longer optional: it has become table stakes.
4. Show Them What They Want - If customers already love your brand, don’t change it. Instead, keep giving them reasons to feel passionate about the brand—make them feel special. Showcase contactless delivery options, customization capabilities or diversify menu items.
5. Go for Five Stars - Apple App and Google Play store ratings are important for many reasons. App ratings can drive discovery and downloads, especially when search algorithms place greater importance on higher-rated apps. Having a good rating makes a guest who has never ordered feel more confident.
To read more detail on the five ways to boost your restaurant’s mobile app, read the full article at QSR, and for more information about Tillster’s solutions, contact our team.
